Israeli troops looked on as Palestinians left northern Gaza on Saturday/GETTY IMAGES
In the tumult of the conflict in Gaza, hundreds, including patients, left Gaza City’s main hospital, a scene underscored by conflicting accounts between medical staff and Israeli authorities. Reports of two explosions in Jabalia, northern Gaza, claiming 80 lives, drew attention to a UN school-turned-shelter, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stating it was investigating but couldn’t confirm the strike.
Footage verified at al-Fakhoura school in Jabalia depicted a distressing scene of severe injuries and motionless bodies, prompting Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), to decry the attacks as unacceptable and implore for their cessation.
The Hamas-run health ministry reported over 30 fatalities in Jabalia from the same family, attributed to an Israeli strike, though the IDF offered no immediate comment.
Gaza’s death toll, as per the Hamas-run health ministry, stands at 12,300, with over 2,000 feared buried under rubble. Amidst the chaos, al-Shifa hospital faced evacuation, with conflicting narratives emerging. The IDF denied ordering the evacuation but claimed to facilitate requests for a “secure route.”
Dr. Ramez Radwan, compelled to leave al-Shifa, painted a grim picture, describing a dire lack of medical supplies and conditions so deplorable that patients were grappling with infections. Israeli military actions targeting the hospital have intensified, yet the IDF has not substantiated claims of significant Hamas operations within.
As the conflict expands, Israel’s call for northern Gaza residents to evacuate for safety has now extended to those in the southern city of Khan Younis, adding another layer to the unfolding humanitarian crisis.
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